Giants’ roster moves: DB Joe Powell added to replace Matt Smalley

The New York Giants Wednesday announced the signing of defensive back Joe Powell of Globe Tech. Powell will likely replace cornerback Matt Smalley, who suffered a dislocated shoulder on Monday. A roster move with Smalley has not yet been announced.

Globe Institute of Technology, since you are now scratching your head, is a Division III school located in New York City. And no, I had never heard of it either until Powell was signed.

Powell, incidentally, is a 6-foot0, 202-pound defensive back who declared early for the 2016 NFL Draft but was not selected.

Here is his bio from the press release issued by the Giants:

Powell, 6-0 and 202 pounds, played two seasons of college football. In 2012, he was a wide receiver at Lynchburg (Va.). The following year, he transferred to Globe Tech (Globe Institute of Technology in New York City, which plays in the National Junior College Athletic Association), where he made the team as a walk-on. Powell led the team with 52 tackles and had 1.5 sacks and an interception.

In 2014, he went on to play semi-pro football for the Portsmouth Mustangs.

The following year, Powell was with the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL). He earned PIFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after breaking the league record with 11 interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns. Powell also played one half as a wide receiver and had 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Earlier this year, Powell played for the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. He intercepted seven passes in nine games, returning four of the picks for touchdowns. Powell was a one-time winner of the league’s Defensive Player of the Week, and he returned two onside kickoffs for touchdowns.

Here are some AFL highlights.

Smalley, out of Lafayette, had been signed as an undrafted free agent. He appeared to be well down the depth chart at this point in the preseason but this is still a tough break for the young man.